Leaves of eucalyptus as well as essential oil obtained by steam distillation have strong bactericidal, wound-healing and disinfectant properties. The essential oil is detrimental to a number of bacteria, such as streptococcus and staphylococcus. Externally it acts not only as an antiseptic, but also as analgesic. In medicine infusion of eucalyptus leaves and eucalyptus oil are widely used for inhalation for respiratory diseases (laryngitis, tracheitis, catarrhal and purulent bronchitis, abscesses and gangrene of the lungs), for cleansing of infected wounds, fistulas, ulcers.